Establishment of Athletics Australia Event Group Advisory Panels

Athletics Australia has recently completed a process to establish Event Group Advisory Panels, attracting over 80 Expressions of Interest from individuals seeking to be appointed to one or more of the panels.

Members of the Event Group Advisory Panel have a high level of expertise in Athletics, including athletes who have competed at an international level, Athletics Australia accredited coaches who have coached at an international level, and performance support providers who have supported senior Championships preparations.

Guided by the overarching statement of ‘Australia versus the Rest of the World,’ the fundamental purpose of each Event Group Panel is to bring together coaches and experts to discuss ways to improve the ‘Spirit of the Event Group’, along with establishing both short and long-term plans to upskill coaches and enhance Australia’s capability to achieve sustainable success.

Applications were reviewed by Athletics Australia High Performance (AA-HP) staff and coaches. The associated discussions resulted in recommendations for each of the Panels.  These recommendations were then forwarded to the Athletics Australia’s Board's High Performance Advisory Sub-Committee for further review and eventual approval.

As a result of the process the following appointments have been made.

Enquiries are to be directed to: highperformance@athletics.org.au

Event Group Advisory Panels

Distance Advisory Panel

Susan Andrews (Tas), Collis Birmingham (Vic), Dianne Huxley (NS/Vic), Ned Brophy-Williams (NSW), Gavin Burren (Vic), Elizabeth Mathews (Vic), Philo Saunders (ACT), Avish Sharma (Vic) and Jess Stenson (SA).

Note: One additional appointment to be confirmed.

Hurdles Advisory Panel

Matt Beckenham (ACT), Lauren Boden (ACT), Darren Clarke (Vic), Lyn Foreman (WA), Sharon Hannon (Qld), Rohan Robinson (Vic) and Debbi Schulstad (NSW).

Note: One additional appointment to be confirmed.

Jumps Advisory Panel

Sandro Bissetto (Vic), Gary Bourne (Qld), David Culbert (Vic), Matthew Horsnell (NSW), Alwyn Jones (Vic), Emma Millett (NSW), Andrew Murphy (NSW), Alex Stewart (NSW) and Theresa (Marty) Stolberg (Qld).

Note: One additional appointment to be confirmed.

Observer: Seb Kuzminski (ACT; Para Sprints & Jumps).

Pole Vault Advisory Panel

The announcement of this Panel has been delayed until February 2023 to allow AA-HP staff to approach some additional individuals who can hopefully complement the effectiveness of the Panel.

Race Walking Advisory Panel

The announcement of this Panel has been delayed until February 2023 to allow AA-HP staff to approach some additional individuals who can hopefully complement the effectiveness of the Panel.

Relays & Sprints Advisory Panel

Rob Ballard (Tas), Tudor Bidder (ACT), Jackie Gallagher (Qld), Gerrard Keating (Qld), Mark Ladbrook (Qld), Paul Pearce (Qld), David Reid (Qld), Melissa Smith (NSW) and Cathalina Walsh (NSW).

Note: One additional appointment to be confirmed.

Throws Advisory Panel

Mike Barber (Qld), Breanne Clement (NSW), Matt Hornemann (Vic), Steve Larsson (SA), Angus McEntyre (NSW), Debbie Sosimenko (NSW), Ben Thomson (Qld) and Grant Ward (WA).

Note: One additional appointment to be confirmed.

Observer/s: Lukas Cannan (Qld; Throws Scholarship Coach) & Hamish MacDonald (A; Seated Throws).

Para Event Group Advisory Panels

The following Para Event group Panels have been operating for a number of years consisting primarily of employed AA-HP staff, but will be reviewed and re-established in 2023 to include a broader cross-section of expertise:

Para Wheelchair Track & Road Advisory Panel
Para Sprints & Jumps
Para Distance

Overarching Intent of the Panels

Guided by the overarching statement of ‘Australia versus the Rest of the World’, the fundamental purpose of each Event Group Panel is to:

- Bring together a group of Event Group coaches/experts to discuss ways to enhance the “Spirit of the Event Group”;

- To establish a 3 Year Event Group Plan which will include items such as a calendar of camps/workshops/initiatives aimed at upskilling emerging and established coaches and enhancing the overarching “Spirit of the Event Group”; and

- Identify and implement initiatives that will enhance Australia’s capability to achieve sustainable success (i.e. by achieving Medal and Top 8 performances) at Major Championships by the 2032 Brisbane OGs and beyond.

Roles of the Panels

- Establish an ambitious but achievable Event Group 2032+ vision with clear KPIs.

- To leave biases “outside the door” to create unity in striving for success by Australian athletes in their Event Group at Major Championships.

- To develop a 3-year Event Group Plan outlining 2-3 initiatives per year targeted at improving the “Spirit of the Event Group” and focused on HP success in 2032 and beyond.

Note: Each Event Group will be allocated a budget to enable the delivery of their Event Group Plan.

- To reduce the risk of Athletics Australia High Performance (AA-HP) staff operating without consulting by providing:

- An opportunity for input into the AA-HP department and throughout the high-performance community regarding the needs of the Event Group from the perspective of the coaches/experts living/delivering in the field; and

- A communication mechanism between the Event Group and AA-HP Department.

Note: The intention is that the AA-HP Director of Performance Coaching (or a designated alternative) will attend each “Event Group Advisory Panel” meetings, particularly the “face-to-face” meetings.

- A “buffer/filter” for AA-HP staff to test their thinking regarding new ideas/concepts, and if the Panel is supportive, utilise the “power of the group” to drive new initiatives.

- To increase our capacity to lobby for ongoing, and preferably additional, funding to support each Event Group and the AA-HP programme generally.

- To assist plan Event Group Camps/Workshops/Initiatives that align with the domestic and international season events/priorities and to identify associated Service Provider support requirements priorities.

- To ensure that there is a legacy from the AA-HP Program Coach roles (i.e. if a coach just coaches, then there will be a vacuum when they “exit”, as seen after the model adopted in the lead into Sydney 2000 where a number of overseas coaches were employed for the 5 year lead-in to Games but departed after).

FAQ's

Are the Event Group Advisory Panel members paid?

At this stage we are not in a position to pay members of the Event group Advisory Panels (i.e. they are volunteer roles).  However, reimbursement of legitimate expenses will be covered.

Do the Event Group Advisory Panels have decision-making power?

The “Event Group Advisory Panels” are advisers, and the intention is they provide direction.  However, they are not decision makers. Ultimately operational decisions remain with AA-HP staff and must comply with the requirements of the Athletics Australia Board.

What processes are in place to uphold the integrity of the panels?

The appointed Event Group Advisory Panel members will need to undertake and regularly update anti-doping and integrity training and requirements as well as declare any potential conflicts of interest associated with their role on the Panel. The appointed members will need to sign a Code of Conduct Agreement with Athletics Australia.

 Enquiries are to be directed to: highperformance@athletics.org.au

By Athletics Australia
Posted: 22/12/2022